2. Do they cause bloating and constipation? Right now I go 4 to 5 days of no bowel movements, then I switch to diaherra and nausea for 24 hours or so.

Just want to be sure to ask the correct questions to the GI. So far he has blown off the constipation, but it is now causing impacts to my day to day life and is reminding me of my life prior to remicade.

Strictures are areas where your intestine has narrowed (as opposed to blockages, where your intestine is . . . well . . . blocked). A stricture can be caused by inflammation and edema (swelling)--or it can be caused by the scar tissue that's built up after a long period of inflammation and edema. If it's inflammation, it may be possible for the area to widen again, if you can find a way (medication, diet, luck) to relieve the inflammation; if it's scar tissue, the narrowing is permanent. A stricture can be diagnosed by a GI series (x-ray) with small bowel follow-through, the test where you drink barium and they follow it through your system with x-rays. Sometimes your doctor can feel a stricture as a hard area of intestine when he feels around your abdomen.

A stricture can definitely cause bloating and constipation (although there are many other conditions that can cause bloating and constipation, too). Basically, you're trying to move your waste through a narrowed pathway. So your solid waste may get backed up behind the stricture--until it gets broken down enough to make it through as diarrhea. For me, the days of bloating and constipation are even more uncomforable than the days of constant diarrhea.

Therefore, one symptom of a stricture is bloating, constipation, and cramping, alternating with diarrhea. However, it's common to have those symptoms even without a stricture. So the only truly sure way to tell if you actually have a stricture is to have the GI series with small bowel follow-through test. A CTScan will reveal a stricture, too, but the x-ray series is a lot cheaper.

Nawlinscate thanks so much for the detailed reply, I think this is worth making sure the doctor does not blow off the constipation this time. I can choke down barium one more time for peace of mind. God that crap is terrible. My last small bowel test was done like a 1 1/2 ago and showed narrowing, so I wonder if that was a stricture and just not referred to as that. My appointment is not until the 9th so I guess I will have to wait and see.

Any suggestions for the constipation until then? Any food restrictions etc? Right now I am coming off the diarrhea so I sticking to jello, applesauce, and soup until I stop living in the bathroom.

Hi want_2_be_well. I take stool softners every night to help my C. They help to keep things soft so they pass more easily. If you do have a stricture should stay on a low residue diet so that things don't get stuck. I only eat fish, chicken and turkey. I can eat some fruits but NO peels. I think if you google the diet you will get an idea of what to eat and what not to. Good luck and hope you get some answers soon.Been living with Crohn's Disease for 32 years. Currently on Asacol, Prilosec 60 mg, Estrace, Prinivil, Diltiazem, Percoset prn for pain and Calcium. Resections in 2002 and 2005. Recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and doing tests to see if I have Inflammatory Arthritis or AS.